The CCE designation is required for those wishing to conduct third-party verification (TPV) inspections of dairy and food processing equipment covered by 3-A Sanitary Standards. Instituted in late 2003, the TPV inspection is required for equipment manufacturers or used equipment resellers to obtain or renew a 3-A Symbol. The TPV requirement was implemented to verify conformance to 3-A Sanitary Standards for sanitary equipment design, fabrication and construction materials. Equipment authorized for the 3-A Symbol must be reinspected every five years.    

3-A SSI expanded the TPV inspection program in late 2007 to include a new Replacement Part Qualification Certificate for parts used in equipment covered by 3-A Sanitary Standards and a 3-A Process Certificate for processing operations covered by most 3-A accepted practices. The TPV inspection requirement will also apply to equipment that displays the new P3-A Symbol associated with conformance to new Pharmaceutical 3-A (P3-A) standards. Details of the P3-A Symbol program will be announced later this year.

The basic qualification criteria for an individual to become a CCE include:

Bachelor of science degree in science or engineering plus three years experience in relevant food or pharmaceutical processing (one year of the three years of general experience must be directly related to 3-A Sanitary Standards-covered equipment design or sanitary processes); or high school graduation plus five years experience in relevant food or pharmaceutical processing (three years must be directly related to 3-A Sanitary Standards-covered equipment design or sanitary processes).

Beyond the basic education and experience requirements, all CCE candidates must have the ability to review and evaluate complex processes, demonstrate knowledge of the types of equipment and processes to which 3-A Sanitary Standards are applied, and have the ability to interpret engineering drawings pertaining to manufacturing equipment and instrumentation for the food processing industries. CCE candidates must also have knowledge of 3-A Sanitary Standards and must provide references attesting to the candidate's work experience and integrity.

The new CCE application form and complete details on 3-A SSI inspection program requirements can be obtained on the 3-A SSI web site at www.3-a.org under News & Events, directly at www.3-a.org/news/releases/9-12-08_exam_inspection_programs.html or from the 3-A SSI office.

Complete CCE application packages must be received no later than Wednesday, October 15, 2008. Candidates meeting the application requirements will be eligible to sit for the accreditation exam at Process Expo 2008. Expo registration is not required for CCE candidates to sit for the accreditation exam.

Candidates passing the written exam will be eligible to become a CCE.  For more details, contact Tim Rugh at 703/790-0295 or trugh@3-a.org.